Noemi Perobelli

Name: Noemi Perobelli
Age: 24
Nationality: Italian
Company: Lillebælt Hospital
Title/education: Nurse

I ended up in Denmark because

I wanted to work abroad, so when I finished my nursing degree, I did a lot of research and interviews with several countries. The offer from Denmark was the best offer because the 3-month language course was in Denmark and was provided by the hospital as part of my contract. The salary was good, the relocation package was good, and I was offered housing with a really cheap rent, so I was really pleased to get this job.  I had been in Denmark six years ago for a holiday, and I remember saying to myself that this is a place that I want to live in, because apart from the landscape which is really beautiful, everybody has great opportunities for studying, getting a job, and having a good work-life-balance. 

What surprises me most about working in Denmark is

How different it is. In Italy I worked with 10-15 patients, now I work with 3-4 maximum 5 patients. It is still stressful because you have to do many things. But here, I am taking care of the patient in a whole way. For example, when I discharge a patient, I prepare that the patient is taken care of after the stay at the hospital. I coordinate with the family doctor, or the municipality nurse, and that is a big difference. In Italy, I only had to notify the family doctor, who then took over the coordination of the care for the patient outside the hospital. I really like this in Denmark; it is nice for me to follow the patient for a longer time. 

Another difference is that in Italy, I worked alone and then if I needed help I had to ask a colleague. But in Denmark it is different because you work in pairs, e.g. a nurse and a secondary nurse. It is different, but in a positive way.

In Denmark, nurses and the medical personnel care a lot about communicating properly to patients. They explain everything to the patient. In Italy, it was not the same, because it was not so normal to speak and say everything to the patient. I really appreciate that in Denmark.

My Danish colleagues are

Always very calm and nice, and you should be careful with your work and not rush it through. There is not really a working hierarchy. I am on the same level with doctors and the secondary nurse. We work together for the betterment of the patient. It is a good working environment and I really like my job and the way we work together. 

Life in Denmark is

Good, really good! I like my life in Denmark. I have great places to go running, there are great initiatives for sustainable living. I really believe in trying to not waste food, and Denmark is a great place to live like that. Many shops have "too good to go" food, and I am part of groups that find food that is not good enough for selling in shops, but too good to be thrown away. It makes me feel good and I have made friends that way. 

I would recommend anybody moving to Denmark to

Just do it - it really is exciting. 

Search for jobs in Denmark online, that is how most of us have found our jobs in Denmark. Reach out to employers!

My Norwegian colleague told me to remember that moving abroad is like stair climbing. Sometimes it goes fast, and sometimes you are stuck on a step not getting anywhere. It is tough moving to another country, so do some research, read a book about Danish culture and what it is like for newcomers to Denmark - and be active in making friends. Join a club, take part in the expat activities in your local area, and learn the language, it really is part of unlocking the door to a new culture. The city I live in, Vejle, has a newcomer consultant Louise Nielsen, and she is the best! She arranges events and helps newcomers with creating a life. I have started volunteering in Vejle, and I am participating in many events. 

Many people say that Danish people are a bit closed, and that people from the South of Europe are more open. I would argue that Danes are really open and nice to persons from other cultures and countries! I feel welcome here!